How to Foster a Culture of Innovation: Interview with Timothy Clark - Ep#58

In this episode, Timothy shares his experience working with executive teams and tips on various topics including: Leadership A leader cannot be neutral. They either lead the way or get in the way, as Timothy mentions. In order to lead the way, the leaders has two primary functions within an organization- to coach skills and model behaviour, therefore becoming the architect of culture. Culture The leading indicator of healthy workplace culture is the level of psychological safety employees feel when. Someone who feels psychologically safe in the workplace is able to participate in the value creation process of the organization without a fear of being punished, embarrassed or ignored. This opens the door for employees to be intellectually brave. Intellectual Bravery Someone who feels psychologically safe at work will demonstrate more intellectual bravery. This person is willing to disagree or dissent and challenge the status quo. This intellectual bravery is what ultimately leads to innovation, however, this won't happen until employees are drained of fear. If it's politically and emotionally costly for people to speak their mind, it's reasonable to expect they will not. What to do? As a leader, don't rely on the fear button, which often comes from frustration and insecurity. Instead, assign different people to dissent and challenge what you're proposing or already have in place. This removes the personal risk to the individual, and replaces is with permission from the top. Of course it never hurts to show some of your own vulnerability, admitting what you don't know in order to show others it's safe. Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-process-template-workbook Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-steps-course Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: https://go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy // WEBSITE & RESOURCES: Website ► https://www.smestrategy.net/ Blog ► https://www.smestrategy.net/blog Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►https://www.smestrategy.net/podcast Alignment Book ► https://www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book Contact ►https://www.smestrategy.net/contact // FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/ LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/2866558 Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/ Twitter ►https://twitter.com/smeinsights // ABOUT SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. To learn more about working with a facilitator: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plan-creation